Self-setting marker for fishermen and boatmen

ABSTRACT

A self-setting marker device for fishermen and boatmen has a buoyant somewhat elongate, symmetrical body provided with an axial substantially reduced medial portion constituting with adjacent larger portions a spool element upon which an anchoring line is attached and may be helically wound. A small heavy anchoring weight is attached to the outer end of the line and serves to by gravity pay out the line (with revolution of the body) when the device with wound line is cast upon the water. Closely cooperating with said components is a bias-weight medium secured to said body in a position of balance relative to the body length, but disposed widely eccentric of the axis of said body to restrain revolution of said body during the torque effect of said line and anchor weight; and effective to positively stop further pay off of line when the anchor weight rests upon the bottom of a water way. Then the requisite length of anchor line is measured and set for various depths each time the wound device is cast, and further pay off of line and driftage of the body is prevented in spite of usual winds and water currents.

United States Patent Rovner [54] SELF -SETTING MARKER FOR F ISHERMEN AND BOATMEN [72] Inventor: Harry Rovner, 2832 Xenwood Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn. 55416 [22] Filed: May 7, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 35,453

521 U.S. Cl ..9/8, 9/9

2,767,506 11/1956 Robinson 9/8 X 2,490,876 12/1949 Lewis et al ..9/8

946,174 1/1910 Vroman et a1. ..9/9

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 717,112 1/1932 France ...9/9

[451 Apr. 4, 1972 Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Gregory W. OConnor Attorney-Williamson, Palmatier & Bains, George F. Williamson, H. Dale Palmatier and Herman H. Bains ABSTRACT A self-setting marker device for fishermen and boatmen has a buoyant somewhat elongate, symmetrical body provided with an axial substantially reduced medial portion constituting with adjacent larger portions a spool element upon which an anchoring line is attached and may be helically wound. A small heavy anchoring weight is attached to the outer end of the line and serves to by gravity pay out the line (with revolution of the body) when the device with wound line is cast upon the water. Closely cooperating with said components is a biasweight medium secured to said body in a position of balance relative to the body length, but disposed widely eccentric of the axis of said body to restrain revolution of said body during the torque effect of said line and anchor weight; and effective to positively stop further pay off of line when the anchor weight rests upon the bottom of a water way. Then the requisite length of anchor line is measured and set for various depths each time the wound device is cast, and further pay off of line and driftage of the body is prevented in spite of usual winds and water currents.

1 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures P'A'TENTEDAPR 41972 IN VENTOR. 6'01??? karma-w SELF-SETTIN G MARKER FOR FISHERMEN AND BOATMEN This invention relates to buoyant, anchored markers for visually indicating fishing spots, water lanes and the like for fishermen and boatmen.

At the present time such markers are widely uses in outdoor waters to indicate favorite spots, channels and lanes for water skiing, boat racing and the like. Those presently used for marking channels, lanes and reefs must be individually set for anchoring by a line or other flexible element of effective length between marker and anchor of substantially the precise depth of the water at the predetermined point.

For fishermen a number if different devices have been used where the anchor line is externally wound upon a buoyant symmetrical body with a weight at the outer end thereof, whereby the entire wound device may be readily cast out from a boat to a spot where fish have been hooked and the weight by torque action through the line will revolve and pay out line until the anchor is grounded. However, since substantial variations in depth are expected and actually encountered, the anchor lines employed are substantially longer than the average depth of the waters fished. The result is that winds, waves and currents will unwind the line to full capacity and thus .the visible marker will come to rest at a location displaced a substantial distance from the desired spot. A few rather expensive markers for fishermen have contained a reel or drum which can be braked or set at the side of the boat for each location and depth by the fishermen.

It is the main object of my invention to provide a very simple, economical marking device for fishermen and other sportsmen which, as a unit, may be instantly cast out from a boat and will automatically limit pay out of the anchoring line when the anchor reaches the bottom of the body of water and which will further, despite waves, winds and currents, maintain the buoyant marker element almost directly above the anchor weight.

More specifically it is an object to provide a marking device of the class described which utilizes a very visible marking body of symmetrical shape having a portion thereof about which an elongate line is helically wound with a relatively heavy weight secured to the outer end thereof and further provided in said body with an eccentrically disposed heavy weight medium preferably positioned in the circumference ofa circle of substantially greater diameter than the diameter of the wound line to exert through gravity a strong torque on the body when the anchor rests upon the bottom thereby preventing further unwinding ofline.

These and other objects will be more apparent from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

H0. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in central vertical section showing an embodiment of my novel marking device with the anchoring line and weight wound and disposed for tossing into the water at a desired location;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the body with one of the end caps removed; and

F IG. 3 is an end elevation taken in the opposite direction of the removed end cap showing the weight-receiving socket formed therein.

Referring in detail to the embodiment of my invention illustrated, a buoyant marker body is provided, indicated as an entirety by the letter B, and being preferably of dumbbell external configuration. Body B may be constructed from a number of preferably plastic materials, such as high impact styrene, coated styrofoam, styrene acrylonitrile or other thermoplastic molding materials, preferably having a specific gravity not exceeding 1.60.

While body B may be variously formed or molded, I prefer to mold it into two similar generally spherical hollow members 5, interconnected and spaced apart by an integral or solid plastic rod element 6 having an external diameter of only a small fraction of the internal diameter of spherical members 5.

Cylindrical rod member 6 with the adjoining semi-spherical inner surfaces of members 5 acts as a spool upon which is helically wound a long line or flexible tying element L, having is inner end secured to rod member 6.

To the outer end of line L is secured a relatively heavy anchor such as a rectangular lead weight W having an upper integral loop W-l to which the line L may be securely tied.

It will be understood that the dimensions and proportions of the components of my invention may be rather widely varied according to the specific uses thereof and the nature and depth of the outdoor waters where the marking devices are to be used. For fresh water fishing and shore ocean fishing the total length of body B and circumference of the device with wound anchor thereon is such that the unit may be readily accommodated in averagesize tackle boxes. For the marking of lanes and channels, the dimensions will of course be larger and the weights heavier.

As shown, spherical members 5 are molded or die formed in two semi-spherical shells 5a and 5b respectively. Shells 5a are preferably integrally formed with the spool rod 6 and have external circular connection flanges 5c which overlie and are bonded to internal circular flanges 5d at the open peripheral edge of semi-spherical shells 5b. The flanges 5c and 5d telescope snugly for each spherical member and may be bonded by a compatible plastic solvent glue to seal the two parts and exclude water.

On the interior semi-spherical wall of each of the shells 5a and 5b half-socket sleeve elements, 7a and 7b respectively, are provided preferably integrally formed with the plastic or other composition and having opposed open end 9 for jointly receiving an elongate substantially cylindrical bias weight X for each of said spherical members 5.

The sockets fonned by sleeve elements 7a and 7b are preferably disposed eccentrically of the axis of rod member 6 and the longitudinal axis of the entire body B as far outward as possible. The said socket elements and the bias weights contained therein are all axially aligned for production of most effective torque-bias in use. The radius from the axial center line of the body to the axes of the weights X is within a range from 3 /2 to 7 times the radius of the rod member 6 which forms the winding spool.

The width of the anchor weight W is preferably to be nicely accommodated between the spherical ends of the hollow members 5 and disposed over the line after winding. For fishing in lakes and shallow ocean waters an anchor weight of from k to 1 pound is adequate.

In the manufacture of my device, the two shell members 50, together with the solid rod winding element 6, may be integrally molded from plastic in high speed molds, including the formation of the peripheral overlying flanges 50 for connection with the internal flanges 5d of the cap-shells 5b. Simultaneously in such molding process the semi-sleeve sockets 7a are precisely formed and positioned. The cap-shells, with semi-weight sockets 7b, are produced in capacity by separate plastic molds.

In assembling the entire device it only remains to telescope the edges of the cap-shells 5b with the complementary flanges 5c of the body shells with application of a solvent-type glue after the respective weights W have been positioned in the cooperating elements and 7b. The anchor line is then tied at one end as by slipknot to the spool rod element 6 and the rectangular anchor weight is affixed to the outer end of the line. Thereafter the line is fully wound upon the spool rod with the weight W there disposed and accommodated in the recess provided between body members 5. The assembled device can then be compactly packaged in a rectangular container of internal dimensions of the length of the body B and having width and depth of approximately the diameter of spherical members 5.

USE AND FUNCTION With the anchor line wound upon spool rod 6, the device may lay upon the bottom or seat of a boat ready for use and will not unwind even if jarred by waves or inadvertent striking thereof. The two bias-weights X and their gravity-actuated torque effect return the body to predetermined position if rocked therefrom.

When it is desired to mark a precise spot, as for example when a fish is hooked and even before the fish is retrieved, the wound device may be tossed in the water at a desired spot. ln action, the substantial weight of the anchor W overcomes the torque effect of bias-weights X and quickly unwinds the line revolving the body B until anchor W rests upon the bottom. Thereafter the buoyant body remains almost directly above the anchor weight despite influences of wind and water currents. If rocked slightly from anchored position, the bias weight X, by torque, returns the body with winding take-up effeet.

In numerous types of fishing, a school of fish will remain in a very limited area or hole for days. Displacement of a buoyant marker by even 5 to feet through driftage due to slack line will thwart the fisherman. With marking device in clement fishing weather, the marker body will always maintain its location directly above the chosen spot.

Where in the appended claims the terms line" and anchoring line are used, they are presumed to include any highly flexible tying element such as a plastic line, a chain, cord, wire or cable.

In use for marking lanes or channels, the set device proportioned for such uses is readily cast into the water and no compensation or individual tying is needed, regardless of varying depths.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a very simple, highly efficient self-adjusting marking device for outdoor water and fishing and which may be manufactured in quantity at low cost.

it will further be seen that my unitary marker device is selfsettable in that not only does the weight W through gravity pay out the line from the buoyant body B, but also the biasweights X through their widely eccentric positions and gravity stop pay out of line when the anchor weight W rests upon the bottom, thus precisely setting the proper length of the anchor line.

it is to be understood that my invention contemplates the use of the main anchor weight W in a pliable metallic state, such as natural lead of relatively thin formation, as a deformable element which may encircle or partially encircle the diminished winding spool part 6 of the body B for convenient packaging of the device and full winding of the line L thereon. In this connection, if desired, the weight W may be made somewhat longer and substantially thinner than in the form depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

What is claimed is:

l. A self-setting marker device for fishermen and boatmen having in combination,

A buoyant marker body of dumbbell-shape having a longitudinal axis upon which it may be revolved on top of the water and having a reduced, solid medial coaxial portion upon which an anchoring line may be wound,

a line having one of its two ends connected to said body,

an anchor weight of high specific gravity secured to the other end of said line and adapted to pay out wound line from said body by revolving the same when the device is loosely thrown upon the water, said body comprising said solid reduced intermediate portion having integrally formed with the two ends thereof, two semi-spherical shells,

said shells having aligned bias-weight-receiving sockets therein, and

a pair of generally similar semi-spherical shells joined and sealed at peripheral edges with the peripheries of said first-mentioned shells and forming therewith a pair of spaced buoyant bodies for supporting the entire device,

and a pair of elongated bias-weights the long axis of said weights being aligned substantially longitudinally of the overall body and confined by said sockets and disposed internally of said buoyant bodies, and widely eccentric to said axis. 

1. A self-setting marker device for fishermen and boatmen having in combination, A buoyant marker body of dumbbell-shape having a longitudinal axis upon which it may be revolved on top of the water and having a reduced, solid medial coaxial portion upon which an anchoring line may be wound, a line having one of its two ends connected to said body, an anchor weight of high specific gravity secured to the other end of said line and adapted to pay out wound line from said body by revolving the same when the device is loosely thrown upon the water, said body comprising said solid reduced intermediate portion having integrally formed with the two ends thereof, two semi-spherical shells, said shells having aligned bias-weight-receiving sockets therein, and a pair of generally similar semi-spherical shells joined and sealed at peripheral edges with the peripheries of said firstmentioned shells and forming therewith a pair of spaced buoyant bodies for supporting the entire device, and a pair of elongated bias-weights the long axis of said weights being aligned substantially longitudinally of the overall body and confined by said sockets and disposed internally of said buoyant bodies, and widely eccentric to said axis. 